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A high frequency treatment device is provided for high-frequency medical
treatments including blood stanching. The device comprises an insertion
member and a pair of jaws each representing a longitudinal direction,
taking on an electrode function along an entire longitudinal region of
each jaw, and having a gripping surface. In the device, a link member
holds the jaws to be opened and closed in a direction allowing their
gripping surfaces to be opposed to each other and links the jaws to a tip
of the insertion member to keep electrical insulation between the jaws.
An electrical short circuit between the jaws is prevented even when the
jaws are mutually closed. A power line applies a high frequency voltage
to the jaws via the link member to cause a high frequency current to flow
through the jaws. An operation wire transmits open/close movements to the
jaws via the link member.

1. A high frequency treatment device comprising: an insertion member; a
pair of jaws each representing a longitudinal direction, taking on an
electrode function along an entire region of each jaw in the longitudinal
direction, and having a gripping surface; a link member holding the pair
of jaws to be opened and closed in a direction allowing the gripping
surfaces of the jaws to be opposed to each other and linking the pair of
jaws to a tip of the insertion member in a condition in which an
electrical insulation between the jaws is kept; a short-circuit
preventing member preventing an electrical short circuit between the jaws
when the jaws are closed to each other; a power line being disposed
through the insertion member and applying a high frequency voltage to the
jaws via the link member to cause a high frequency current to flow
through the jaws; and an operation wire being disposed through the
insertion member and transmitting open/close movements to the jaws via
the link member.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the short-circuit preventing
member is formed in either one of the link member and the insertion
member.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein each of the paired jaws is
made from a conductive material to serve as an electrode in charge of the
electrode function.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein each of the paired jaws serves
as one of positive and negative electrodes to which the high frequency
voltage is applied.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the short-circuit preventing
member is provided with a limiting member to limit a rotation range of
each of the paired jaws in a closing direction along which each jaw is
rotated, the rotation range being set to secure a gap of predetermined
length between the jaws which are closed at full.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the link member includes two
links respectively coupled with the paired jaws and the limiting member
includes two pins each secured to each of the two links and configured to
interfere with an arm secured to the insertion member to limit the
rotation range of each jaw in the closing direction.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the link member includes two
jaw sustainers intervening between bases of the paired jaws and the two
links, respectively, at least one of the jaw sustainers having an
electrically insulative outer surface.

8. The device according to claim 4, wherein the gripping surfaces of the
paired jaws have irregularities, respectively.

9. The device according to claim 4, wherein the short-circuit preventing
member comprises two wires linking the operation wire and two jaw
sustainers rigidly coupled with bases of the respective jaws in the
insertion member and a stopper stopping a movement of the two wires at a
predetermined position in a movement direction of the two wires
corresponding to the closing direction of the jaws.

10. The device according to claim 4, wherein each of the paired jaws
receives an application of the high frequency voltage through the power
line to take on the positive and negative electrodes and conductive
surfaces are formed on outer surfaces of the tip of the insertion member,
the conductive surfaces being positionally face to face to the jaws and
receiving the application of the high frequency voltage but being
opposite to the jaws in polarities.

11. The device according to claim 3, wherein each of the paired jaws
comprises two electrodes providing the electrode function and an
insulator placed between the two electrodes, the two electrodes and the
insulator being disposed in the longitudinal direction.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the mutually faced two
electrodes of the two paired jaws are configured to receive an
application of the high frequency voltage of mutually different
polarities via the power line.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the insulator is a flat
insulator when viewing the paired jaws along the longitudinal direction.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein the insulator is a
U-shaped-section insulator when viewing the paired jaws along the
longitudinal direction.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the short-circuit preventing
member is composed of a plurality of insulators protruded from the
griping surfaces of the paired jaws, the plurality of insulators aligning
alternately in the longitudinal direction when the paired jaws are closed
at full.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the paired
jaws comprises an electrically insulative jaw body; and positive and
negative electrodes serving as the electrode function by receiving an
application of the high frequency voltage and being disposed through an
entire region on an outer surface of each jaw body in the longitudinal
direction.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the positive and negative
electrodes are disposed on the outer surface of at least one of the jaw
bodies by one pair.

18. The device according to claim 16, wherein the positive and negative
electrodes are wound around the outer surface of at least one of the jaw
bodies.

19. The device according to claim 16, wherein the positive and negative
electrodes are disposed on the outer surface of at least one of the jaw
bodies by a plurality of pairs.

20. The device according to claim 16, wherein the positive and negative
electrodes are linearly disposed on the outer surface of at least one of
the jaw bodies.

21. The device according to claim 16, wherein the positive and negative
electrodes are disposed on the outer surface of each of the jaw bodies.

22. The device according to claim 16, wherein the positive and negative
electrodes are disposed on the outer surface of only one of the jaw
bodies.

23. The device according to claim 21, wherein the two jaw bodies are
structured to make the gripping surfaces come in contact with each other
when the two jaws are closed, the positive and negative electrodes are
disposed on the outer surface of each of the two jaw bodies along the
longitudinal direction, the positive and negative electrodes on one of
the two jaw bodies protruding from a level of the gripping surface and
the mutually neighboring electrodes on the two jaw bodies being set to
receive the high frequency voltages of which polarities are opposite to
each other.

24. A high frequency treatment device comprising: a bipolar forceps
composed of the high frequency treatment device according to claim 1; and
a coagulating device having a further insertion member and an electrode
disposed on a tip of the further insertion member and configured to treat
a portion of tissue to which the electrode is touched with a high
frequency voltage applied to the electrode, wherein one of the insertion
member of the bipolar forceps and the further insertion member of the
coagulating device is contained within the other one such that a tip of
one of the insertion member of the bipolar forceps and the further
insertion member of the coagulating device is retractably protruded from
a tip of the other one.

25. A high frequency treatment device comprising a high frequency forceps
equipped with a first insertion member; a gripper disposed at a tip of
the first insertion member and configured to have a pair of jaws openable
and closable to grip a portion of tissue; a handle coupled with a base of
the first insertion member and used to open and close the jaws; and an
electrode given to at least one of the jaws and configured to treat a
portion of tissue in a condition under which the electrode to which a
high frequency voltage is applied is touched to the portion of the
tissue, and a coagulating device equipped with a second insertion member
and an electrode disposed on a tip of the second insertion member and
configured to coagulate or cut open a portion of tissue to which the
electrode is touched with a high frequency voltage applied to the
electrode, wherein one of the first insertion member of the high
frequency forceps and the second insertion member of the coagulating
device is contained within the other one such that a tip of one of the
first insertion member of the high frequency forceps and the second
insertion member of the coagulating device is retractable protruded from
a tip of the other one.

26. The device according to claim 25, wherein the high frequency forceps
is a bipolar type of high frequency forceps and the coagulating device is
a monopolar type of coagulating device.

27. The device according to claim 25, wherein the first insertion member
is contained in the second insertion member when the high frequency
forceps is unused and the tip of the first insertion member is possible
to protrude from the tip of the second insertion member.

28. The device according to claim 25, wherein the second insertion member
is contained in the first insertion member when the coagulating device is
unused and the tip of the second insertion member is possible to protrude
from the tip of the first insertion member.

29. A high frequency treatment device comprising: an insertion member
insertable into a body of an object to be examined; a pair of jaws being
disposed at a tip of the insertion member and consisting of a first and
second jaws gripping a portion of tissue to be treated of the object; and
a handle coupled with a base of the insertion member and used for opening
and closing the jaws, wherein each of the first and second jaws has a
gripping surface used for the gripping, a back surface located back to
back to the gripping surface, a first and second side surfaces each
connecting the back surface and the gripping surface, and one or more
pairs of positive and negative electrodes, wherein both of the positive
and negative electrodes are exposed on the back surface of each of the
first and second jaws, at least one of both the positive and negative
electrodes is exposed, at least one in number, on the gripping surface of
the first jaw, at least one of both the positive and negative electrodes
is exposed, at least one in number, on the first and second side surfaces
of the first jaw, at least one electrode opposite in polarity to the
electrodes exposed on the gripping surface of the fist jaw is exposed on
the griping surface of the second jaw, and at least one electrode
opposite in polarity to the electrodes exposed on the first and second
side surfaces of the first jaw is exposed on the first and second side
surfaces of the second jaw.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein each of the first and second
jaws comprises an insulator separating the positive and negative
electrodes from each other.

31. The device according to claim 30, wherein the insulator is a flat
insulator when viewing the first and second jaws along a longitudinal
direction of the jaws and the flat insulator is placed between the
positive and negative electrodes.

32. The device according to claim 30, wherein the insulator is an
approximately U-shaped insulator directed to be exposed on the back
surface when viewing the first and second jaws along a longitudinal
direction of the jaws and the flat insulator is placed between the
positive and negative electrodes.

33. The device according to claim 30, comprising: a link member holding
the pair of jaws to be opened and closed in a direction allowing the
gripping surfaces of the jaws to be opposed to each other and linking the
pair of jaws to a tip of the insertion member in a state in which an
electrical insulation between the jaws is kept; a short-circuit
preventing member preventing an electrical short circuit between the jaws
when the jaws are closed to each other; a power line being disposed
through the insertion member and applying a high frequency voltage to the
jaws via the link member, the high frequency voltage causing a high
frequency current; and an operation wire being disposed through the
insertion member and transmitting open/close movements to the jaws via
the link member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application relates to and incorporates by reference
Japanese Patent application No. 2004-050212 filed on Feb. 25, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a high frequency treatment device
used, for example, with an endoscope for cutting open a portion of tissue
of an object to be treated and/or applying a coagulating operation to a
portion of tissue of an object to be treated, such as bleeding portion,
by supplying high frequency (radio frequency) current to the portion.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] At present, various types of high frequency treatment devices have
been proposed, one of which is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,311. This
publication provides a high frequency treatment capable of making high
frequency current flow through a bleeding portion for being stanched.
This treatment device has an electrode on the tip and supplies high
frequency current to the electrode made to touch a bleeding portion. Thus
the flow of the current stanches the bleeding portion.

[0006] As another conventional example, Japanese Patent Laid-open
publication No. 2001-170069 has disclosed a high frequency treatment
device, in which the device has a gripper with electrodes. This device is
handled to have a bleeding portion gripped by the gripper to which high
frequency current is supplied, with the result that a portion of tissue
can be cut open and a bleeding portion can be stanched.

[0007] Another conventional high frequency treatment device has been
proposed Japanese Patent Laid-open publication No. 2000-70280, in which
the device has a pair of distal ends of grippers with insulators thereon.
In this device of which distal ends are closed to come into contact to
each other with the insulators located between the grippers. Thus the
insulators make conductive gripping surfaces of the grippers prevent from
being directly touched with each other, so that electric short circuit
between the grippers can surely be avoided when the grippers are closed.

[0008] Of the above conventional references, the high frequency treatment
device typical of the device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,311 is able to
simply stanch a diseased part, because it is sufficient to supply current
to the electrode touched to the diseased part. This is advantageous when
urgent medical treatments are required, but disadvantageous in that this
device may be difficult to stop projectile bleeding due to a lack of
sufficient press of the electrode onto the diseased part. That is, simply
pressing the electrode onto the diseased part results in an insufficient
press to blood stanching.

[0009] Further, the high frequency treatment device represented by
Japanese Patent Laid-open publication No. 2001-170069 can fully press a
diseased part by the gripper and, under such a grip, high frequency
current is supplied to the electrodes for blood stanching. This gripping
technique is very useful for stopping projectile blooding. However, to
grip a portion of tissue of an object to be treated in a quick and
precise manner requires surgeon's relatively complicated operations. This
means that this kind of device is not suitable for urgent medical
treatments.

[0010] In addition, the device proposed by Japanese Patent Laid-open
publication No. 2000-70280 is still useful, because, with a diseased part
pressed sufficiently by the gripper, high frequency current is made to
flow through the electrodes for blood stanching. Concurrently, with jaws
of the grippers made to close to each other, a side of the gripper can be
pressed onto a diseased part and high frequency current is fed to the
electrodes to stop bleeding easily. However, due to the fact that the
insulators on the gripper are nothing to do with current flow, there are
some limitations on effective positions to grip the tissue and press the
gripper onto the tissue. Precisely, it is always necessary to pay
attention to which part of the gripping surfaces should be used for
gripping and which part of the gripper should be used for pressing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Accordingly, the present invention provides a high frequency
treatment device which is easy to use for both gripping and pressing
operations.

[0012] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a high
frequency treatment device comprising: an insertion member; a pair of
jaws each representing a longitudinal direction, taking on an electrode
function along an entire region of each jaw in the longitudinal
direction, and having a gripping surface; a link member holding the pair
of jaws to be opened and closed in a direction allowing the gripping
surfaces of the jaws to be opposed to each other and linking the pair of
jaws to a tip of the insertion member in a condition in which an
electrical insulation between the jaws is kept; a short-circuit
preventing member preventing an electrical short circuit between the jaws
when the jaws are closed to each other; a power line being disposed
through the insertion member and applying a high frequency
(radio-frequency) voltage to the jaws via the link member to cause a high
frequency current to flow through the jaws; and an operation wire being
disposed through the insertion member and transmitting open/close
movements to the jaws via the link member.

[0013] Preferably, at least one of the paired jaws comprises an
electrically insulative jaw body; and positive and negative electrodes
serving as the electrode function by receiving an application of the high
frequency voltage and being disposed through an entire region on an outer
surface of each jaw body in the longitudinal direction.

[0014] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a high
frequency treatment device comprising: an insertion member insertable
into a body of an object to be examined; a pair of jaws being disposed at
a tip of the insertion member and consisting of a first and second jaws
gripping a portion of tissue to be treated of the object; and a handle
coupled with a base of the insertion member and used for opening and
closing the jaws, wherein each of the first and second jaws has a
gripping surface used for the gripping, a back surface located back to
back to the gripping surface, a first and second side surfaces each
connecting the back surface and the gripping surface, and one or more
pairs of positive and negative electrodes, wherein both of the positive
and negative electrodes are exposed on the back surface of each of he
first and second jaws, at least one of both the positive and negative
electrodes is exposed, at least one in number, on the gripping surface of
the first jaw, at least one of both the positive and negative electrodes
is exposed, at least one in number, on the first and second side surfaces
of the first jaw, at least one electrode opposite in polarity to the
electrodes exposed on the gripping surface of the fist jaw is exposed on
the griping surface of the second jaw, and at least one electrode
opposite in polarity to the electrodes exposed on the first and second
side surfaces of the first jaw is exposed on the first and second side
surfaces of the second jaw.

[0015] In the present invention and the following embodiments, the terms
"positive" and "negative" are made reference to the electrode members to
which high frequency (radio frequency) voltage is applied to supply high
frequency current for medical high frequency treatments, for it is
occasionally necessary to distinguish the two types of electrode members
from one the other. The "positive" polarity corresponds to a non-grounded
electrode member and the "negative" polarity corresponds to a grounded
electrode member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In the accompanying drawings:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view conceptually showing an endoscope with
an insertion channel through which a bipolar forceps functioning as a
high frequency treatment device according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2A is a partial section, which is taken along a line IIB-IIB,
outlining an insertion member of the bipolar forceps in the first
embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 2B is a section, which is taken along a line IIB-IIB in FIG.
2A, showing a conductive wire in FIG. 2A;

[0020] FIG. 3A is a side view outlining a treatment member disposed at a
tip of the bipolar forceps in the first embodiment, the treatment member
being able to take a closed position as shown therein;

[0021] FIG. 3B is the side view of the treatment member shown in FIG. 3A,
the treatment device being able to take an open position as shown
therein;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view outlining a handle disposed at a base end of
the bipolar forceps in the first embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a side view conceptually showing a state in which the
treatment of the bipolar forceps according to the first embodiment grips
tissue of an object to be examined;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view conceptually explaining a state in
which the treatment of the forceps according to the first embodiment cuts
open the tissue;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a side view explaining a state in which the treatment
member of the bipolar forceps according to the fist embodiment is made to
touch the tissue;

[0026] FIG. 8 is a frontal view explaining a state in which the treatment
member of the bipolar forceps according to the fist embodiment is made to
touch the tissue;

[0027] FIG. 9A is a partly sectioned side view outlining a treatment
member disposed at a tip of a bipolar forceps serving as the high
frequency treatment device in a second embodiment of the present
invention, the treatment member being able to take an open position as
shown therein;

[0028] FIG. 9B is the partly sectioned side view outlining the treatment
member shown in FIG. 9A, the treatment member being able to take a closed
position as shown therein;

[0029] FIG. 10A is a perspective view outlining a treatment member
disposed at a tip of a bipolar forceps serving as the high frequency
treatment device in a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 10B is a side view outlining the treatment member shown in
FIG. 10A, the treatment member being able to take an open position as
shown therein;

[0031] FIG. 11 is the side view outlining the treatment member disposed
shown in FIG. 10B, the treatment member being able to take a closed
position as shown therein;

[0032] FIG. 12A is a perspective view outlining a treatment member
disposed at a tip of a bipolar forceps serving as the high frequency
treatment device in a modification of the third embodiment;

[0033] FIG. 12B is a side view outlining the treatment member shown in
FIG. 12A, the treatment member being able to take an open position as
shown therein;

[0034] FIG. 13 is a side view outlining a treatment member disposed at a
tip of a bipolar forceps serving as the high frequency treatment device
in a further modification of the third embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 14A is a section showing a treatment member disposed at a tip
of a bipolar forceps serving as the high frequency treatment device in a
fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 14B is a section showing a treatment member disposed at a tip
of a bipolar forceps according to a variation of the fourth embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 15A conceptually shows a state in which a pair of jaws
composing the treatment device shown in FIG. 14A is subjected to current
supply for treatment of tissue;

[0038] FIG. 15B conceptually shows a state in which one of a pair of jaws
composing the treatment device shown in FIG. 14A is subjected to current
supply for treatment of tissue;

[0039] FIG. 16A conceptually shows a state in which a pair of jaws
composing the treatment device shown in FIG. 14B is subjected to current
supply for treatment of tissue;

[0040] FIG. 16B conceptually shows a state in which one of a pair of jaws
composing the treatment device shown in FIG. 14B is subjected to current
supply for treatment of tissue

[0041] FIG. 17 is a side view outlining a treatment device disposed at a
tip member of a bipolar forceps serving as a high frequency treatment
device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 18A is a side view outlining a treatment device disposed at a
tip member of a bipolar forceps serving as a high frequency treatment
device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the
treatment device being depicted in its closed attitude;

[0043] FIG. 18B is the side view of the treatment device shown in FIG.
18A, the treatment device being depicted in its open attitude;

[0044] FIG. 19 is the side view showing the treatment device shown in FIG.
18A, the treatment device being depicted with its jaws gripping tissue;

[0045] FIG. 20A is a frontal view showing a treatment device of a bipolar
forceps according to a modification of the sixth embodiment, the
treatment device shown therein taking its closed position;

[0046] FIG. 20B is the frontal view showing the treatment device of the
bipolar forceps shown in FIG. 20B, the treatment device shown therein
taking its open position;

[0047] FIG. 21A is a frontal view showing a treatment device of a bipolar
forceps serving as the high frequency treatment device according to a
seventh embodiment of the present invention, the treatment device shown
therein taking its open position;

[0050] FIG. 23A is a partly sectioned view showing a tip of the high
frequency treatment device according to an eighth embodiment of the
present invention;

[0051] FIG. 23B is a partial side view showing a base of the high
frequency treatment device shown in FIG. 23B;

[0052] FIG. 24A is a perspective view outlining the high frequency
treatment device shown in FIG. 23A, the high frequency treatment device
having a monopolar blood-stanching device whose electrodes are pressed
onto tissue for treatment;

[0053] FIG. 24B is a perspective view explaining the high frequency
treatment device with the monopolar blood-stanching device from which a
bipolar forceps is made to jut out to open a treatment member of the
forceps;

[0054] FIG. 25 is a perspective view outlining a high frequency treatment
device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, the high
frequency treatment device shown therein being provided with a bipolar
forceps from which a monopolar blood-stanching device with electrodes is
made to jut out; and

[0055] FIG. 26 is a side view outlining a base of the high frequency
treatment device according to the ninth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0056] In connection with the accompanying drawings, various embodiments
of the present invention will now be described.

First Embodiment

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a first embodiment of a high frequency
(radio-frequency) treatment device (also called diathermy treatment
device) according to the present invention will now be described.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 1, a bipolar forceps (bipolar diathermy forceps)
10 (serving as a high frequency treatment device) according to the
present embodiment is provided for cutting open and coagulating a portion
of tissue of an object to be treated. This bipolar forceps 10 are used
with, for example, an endoscope 100, with the forceps 10 inserted through
an insertion channel of the endoscope 100.

[0059] The bipolar forceps 10 are equipped with a flexible insertion
member 12 formed into a thin and long tubular shape whose both ends are
respectively referred to as a tip and a base, a treatment member 14
rigidly secured to the tip of the insertion member 12, and a handle 16
formed at the base of the insertion member 12 and configured to operate
the treatment member 14.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 2A, between the treatment member 14 and the handle
16, a conductive wire 18 for conveying operational movements and currying
current is movably inserted into the insertion member 12 along an axial
direction thereof. The wire 18 therefore connects the treatment member 14
and the handle 16. The wire 18 conveys operational movements from the
handle 16 to the treatment member 14 and carries high frequency current
from the handle 16 to the treatment member 14.

[0061] The insertion member 12 is provided with a sheath 22 rotatable
against the treatment member 12. The sheath 22 is made from a resin
material that exhibits an excellent flexibility. The sheath 22 may
however be formed from a metal-made flexible coil, not limited to the
resin materials. The outer diameter of the sheath 22 is 1 to 6 mm.
Particularly it is preferable if the diameter is 1.8-3.6 mm, because of a
higher insertion performance along an insertion channel 102 of the
endoscope 100. In an inner bore of this sheath 22, the foregoing wire 18
is movably arranged along the axial direction of the sheath 22.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the treatment member 14 is equipped
with a gripper (grasper) 32 openable and closable in order to grip
(grasp) tissue, a link mechanism 34 making the gripper 32 open and close,
and a tip securing member 36 which is hard and arranged at the tip of the
insertion member 12. Of these, the tip securing member 36, which has an
approximately tubular shape, is provided with a tubular member 36a
coupled with the tip of the sheath 22 and a pair of arms 36b rigidly
formed with the tubular member 36a and elongated forwardly from the
tubular member 36a. The pair of arms 36b holds both ends of a pin 40,
with which coupling members 32c and 32d of jaws 32a and 32b described
later are held rotatably around the pin 40. The outer surfaces of the
tubular member 36a and arms 36b are coated with insulative material such
as fluorocarbon resin.

[0063] The gripper 32 is provided with a pair of jaws 32a and 32b each
having a gripping surface 38a (38b) and joints 32c and 32d formed as base
portions of the respective jaws 32a and 32b. Each of the jaws 32a and 32b
is integrated with each of the joints 32c and 32d each made from a hard
conductive member. As understood from the FIGS. 3A and 3B, each of the
joints 32c and 32d forms the base portion of each jaw 32a (32b), but
arranged to be bent at a predetermine angle made from a longitudinal axis
of each jaw 32a (32b). The joints 32c and 32d are respectively bent from
the jaws 32a and 32b so as to be crossed with each other. This crossing
structure allows the gripping surfaces 38a and 38b to be located face to
face when the gripper 32 is closed as shown in FIG. 3A (hereinafter, the
jaw positions shown in FIG. 3A are referred to as "closed," in contrast,
jaw positions shown in FIG. 33 are referred to as "open.")

[0064] In the present embodiment, the jaws 32a and 32b function as
gripping members which are able to grip a portion of tissue of a patient
and function as electrodes to make high frequency current pass through
the gripped tissue. As described above, a side of each of the jaws 32a
and 32b is formed to provide the gripping surface 38a (38b) which is made
to touch the tissue to be gripped. Each of the gripping surfaces 38a and
38b has irregularities to enhance a gripping force. The side-view shapes
of the irregularities are for example triangular as shown in FIGS. 3A and
3B, but this is not a decisive shape. Any shapes, such as round shapes
and quadrangular shapes, can be applied too the irregularities. The
surface, including the gripping surface 38a (38b), of each jaw 32a (32b)
is entirely subjected to thin coating of, for example, a fluorocarbon
resin for preventing the tissue from being burned dry to the jaws 32a and
32b.

[0065] The outer surfaces of the joints 32c and 32d of the gripper 32 are
formed into insulative surfaces. That is, the joints 32c and 32d, which
compose bases of the respective jaws 32a and 32b, are coated with
insulative material, so that an electric short circuit between the joints
32c and 32d touched to each other is surely prevented. The insulative
outer surfaces of the joints 32c and 32d can be formed by covering the
entire joints 32c and 32d with an electrical insulative sheet or can be
coated with insulative material.

[0066] The joints 32c and 32d, which compose the bases of the pair of jaws
32a and 32b, are crossed to each other and rotatably held by a pin 40
bridging the tips of the arms 36b of the tip securing member 36. Thus the
pair of jaws 32a and 32b can be opened and closed mutually as shown by
arrows AR in FIGS. 3B (opened position) and 3A (closed position) around
the pin 40 serving as a fulcrum at the tips of the arms 36b. The pin 40
is coated with insulative material such as fluorocarbon resin.

[0067] A distance (width) .alpha. between the outer surfaces of the jaws
32a and 32b measured when the pair of jaws 32a and 32b is closed (at the
mutually nearest positions) is 1.5 to 6 mm in the present embodiment.
Especially it is preferable that the distance .alpha. is 2 to 3.5 mm.
This distance .alpha. is set to establish both the insertion performance
into the endoscope's insertion channel 102 and an appropriate region for
blood stanching. The axial length of each of the jaws 32a and 32b is in a
range of 1 to 20 mm, and particularly, the axial length of 4 to 12 mm is
preferable. This length is also determined to have both the insertion
performance into the endoscope's insertion channel 102 and an appropriate
region for blood stanching.

[0068] The link member 14 is provided with a first and second links 34a
and 34b. One end of the first link 34a is rotatably coupled with the base
of the joint 32c for one of the jaws, 32a, with the aid of a first
rotatably support pin 42a. Further, one end of the second link 34b is
rotatably coupled with the base of the joint 32d for the other of the
jaws, 32b, with the aid of a second rotatably support pin 42b. The other
ends of both first and second links 34a and 34b are rotatably held by a
third rotatably support pin 42c at the tip of the wire 18. In short, in
the link mechanism 34, the pair of links 34a and 34b are arranged to
rotatably connect to the tip of the wire 18 the help of the third
rotatably support pin 42c. Thus, in response to pushing and pulling the
wire, the first and second links 34a and 34b ban be rotated around the
third rotatably support pin 42c. The rotations of the links 34a an 34b
make it possible that the bases of the jaws 32a and 32b rotate around the
first and second rotatably support pins 42a and 42b, respectively. The
jaws 32 and 32b can therefore be rotated around the pin 40 in the
mutually opposite directions as shown by arrows AR in FIG. 3B.

[0069] Since the first and second links 34a and 34b are also coated with
insulative material such as fluorocarbon resin, respectively, so that an
electrical short-circuit between the links 34a and 34b can be prevented.
The third rotatably support pin 42c is also subjected to insulative
coating with material such as fluorocarbon resin. Thus an electrical
separation between the third rotatbly support pin 42c and the arms 36b
are secured, with no conductive linkage therebetween.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the links 34a and 34b have stoppers
34c and 34d to restrict angular rotation amounts of the jaws 32a and 32b,
respectively. Each of the stoppers 34c and 34d is disposed on each of
sides of the links 34a and 34b to protrude therefrom. The stoppers 34c
and 34d are located in such a manner that, when the wire 18 is pulled by
an operator to establish a gap (spacing) of predetermined distance
.gamma. between the jaws 32a and 32b, the stoppers 34a and 34b just come
into contact with the arms 36b, respectively. The stoppers 34c and 34d
may have any outer shapes, not limited to a cylindrical shape as depicted
in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Any outer shapes including a triangle and a square
may be available for the stoppers 34c and 34d.

[0071] It is therefore possible to prevent the gripping surfaces 38a and
38b of the respective jaws 32a and 32b from being touched to each other,
even when an operation to maximally close the jaws 32a and 32b is applied
to the handle 16 (i.e., even when the jaws 32a and 32b have the closest
distance .gamma.therebetween, as shown in FIG. 3A). Thus no electrical
short-circuit will be caused between the jaws 32a and 32b. In terms of
sustaining an appropriate gripping force, the distance .gamma.is
preferably a value ranging from 0.1 mm to 2 mm.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 4, the handle 16 is provided with an operating
main body 62 and a slider 64. The operating main body 62 includes a
shaft-like sliding guide 62a and a finger-hooked ring 62b disposed at the
base of the sliding guide 62a. The slider 64, which is slidable along the
sliding guide 62a, comprises first and second current-conducting
connectors 64a and 64b. The slider 64 further comprises finger-hooked
rings 64c and 64d with which the index and middle fingers are hooked. The
wire 18 is inserted in the sheath 22 of the insertion member 12 to extend
therealong and the base of the wire 18 is connected to the first and
second current-conducting connectors 64a and 64b disposed on the slider
64, respectively. The connectors 64a and 64b each are coupled with cables
coming from a high frequency cautery power supply unit (not shown). This
power supply unit is switched on/off by, for example, operating a foot
switch coupled thereto and configured to generate high frequency voltage.

[0073] The slider 64 is moved to slide along the sliding guide 62a, which
makes the wire 18 to slide backward and forward. Those slide movements
cause the jaws 32a and 32b at the tip of the treatment member 14 to open
and close, line shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 2B, the wire 18 comprises an insulative coating
member 52 of high insulation performance, which is made from fluorocarbon
resin or polyolefin, and a pair of conductive wires 54a and 54b mutually
insulated by the coating member 52. It is also possible to have the two
conductive wires 54a and 54b inserted into insulative tubes with two or
more lumens. Alternatively, the two conductive wires 54a and 54b may be
covered by insulative coats, respectively. Still, the conductive wires
54a and 54b may not be confined to the forgoing structure in which the
two wires are combined into one cable shown in FIG. 2B, but the wires 54
and 54b may be separated as independent cables.

[0075] Of the two conductive wires 54a and 54b, the first conductive one
54a has a tip coupled with the first link 34a by the third rotatably
support pin 42c (refer to FIG. 3A). In contrast, the base of the first
conductive wire 54a is coupled with the first current-conducting
connector 64a. On the other hand, the second conductive wire 54b has tip
linked with the second link 34b by the third rotatably support pin 42c.
The base of the second conductive wire 54b is connected with the second
current-conducting connector 64b.

[0076] To the third rotatably support pin 42c are connected with the wire
18 and both the first and second conductive wires 54a and 54b, in which
the conductive wires 54a and 54b are electrically separated from each
other. Though not shown, the third rotatably support pin 42c is formed of
a pair of conductive members between which an insulator is placed.
Precisely, the pin 42c is formed into a bar consisting of a pair of
conducting portions and an insulator bridging both conducting portions.
To the conducting portions are connected with the forgoing first and
second conductive wires 54a and 54b. One pair of conducive portions of
the pin 42c has linkages with the first and second links 34a and 34b,
respectively.

[0077] Accordingly, all of the first current-conducting connector 64a, the
first conductive wire 54a of the wire 18, the third rotatably support pin
42c, the first link 34a, the first rotatably support pin 42a, and the
first jaw 32a are not only eclectically connected but also mechanically
coupled with each other. By contrast, all of the second
current-conducting connector 64b, the second conductive wire 54b of the
wire 18, the third rotatably support pin 42c the second link 34b, the
second rotatably support pin 42b, and the second jaw 32b are not only
eclectically connected but also mechanically coupled with each other.

[0078] The operations and advantages of the cutting-open/coagulating
bipolar forceps 10 according to the present embodiment will now be
explained.

[0079] First, one ends of not-shown cables are connected respectively to
the first and second current-conducting connectors 64a and 64b of the
bipolar forceps 10. The other end of each of the cables is connected with
the high frequency coutery power supply unit not shown, thus establishing
the connections between the bipolar forceps 10 and the high frequency
coutery power supply unit.

[0080] An operator grips the handle 16 such that the thumb is put in the
finger-hooked ring 62b of the operating main body 62 and the first and
middle fingers are put in the finger-hooked rings 64c and 64d of the
slider 64. Thus the operator can pull the slider 64 to move it along the
slicing guide 62a. This pulling operation causes the wire 18 to be pulled
back toward the base side, the wire 18 being connected to the first and
second current-conducting connectors 64a and 64b as well as the slider
64. Responsively, the tip of the wire 18 is forcibly moved back to the
base side, with tip securing member 36 fixed. This will cause the third
rotatably support pin 42c to be pulled back as well.

[0081] In response to a movement of the third rotatably support pin 42c,
both tips of the first and second links 34a and 34b are pulled back,
which will cause both the links 34a and 34b to rotate about the third
rotatably support pin 42c. The rotation of the links 34a and 34b involves
pulling of the first and second rotatably support pins 42a and 42b
backward, so that the pair of joints 32c and 32d is rotated bout the pin
40. This will cause the pair of jaws 32a and 32b to approach to each
other, that is, to close, as shown in FIG. 3A.

[0082] When this close position of the bipolar forceps 10 is completed,
the insertion member 12 thereof is inserted into the insertion channel
102 of the endoscope 100, as shown in FIG. 1, so that the insertion
member 12 is inserted into the body of a patient. Then the endoscope 100
is operated to guide the treatment member 14 at the tip of the insertion
member 12 to a spatial position near a tissue to be treated in the body.

[0083] When the treatment member 14 is positioned near the tissue, the
slider 64 of the handle 16 is operated by an operator to slide forward
along the sliding guide 62a. This operation allows the wire 18 to
advance, which will give the operations to the jaws, which are opposite
to the above. In other words, the link member 34 is forced to drive the
jaws 32a and 32b to separate from each other, resulting in the open
position of the jaws, as shown in FIG. 3B.

[0084] Then the jaws 32a and 32b, which are in their open attitude, are
moved to bite at a portion of the tissue 110 to be treated, with the
tissue 110 between the jaws 32a and 32b. The slider 64 is then operated
to close jaws 32a and 32b. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the tissue 110 to
be treated is gripped by the jaws 32a and 32b, with the gripping surfaces
38a and 38b facing the tissue 110 respectively.

[0085] The not-shown foot switch connected to the high frequency cautery
power supply unit is operated to apply high frequency voltage to the
first and second current-conducting connectors 64a and 64b through
cables. The voltage is therefore supplied to the jaw 32a via the
connector 64a, the first conductive wire 54a of the wire 18, the third
rotatably support pin 42c, the first link 34a, and the first rotatably
support pin 42a. Like this, the voltage is supplied to the jaw 32b via
the connector 64a, the first conductive wire 54b of the wire 18, the
third rotatable support pin 42c, the second link 34b, and the second
rotatably support pin 42b. Thus high frequency current is caused to pass
between the pair of jaws 32a and 32b, i.e., through the tissue 110
gripped by the electrodes (i.e., jaws 32a and 32b), resulting in that the
tissue 110 coagulates due to heat caused by the high frequency current.

[0086] In this coagulating operation, if the tissue 110 to be treated is
thin, the jaws 32a and 32b are prevented from being short-circuited when
the high frequency current is supplied to the jaws 32a and 32b, because
there is formed a gap .gamma. between the gripping surfaces 38a and 38b
and the outer surfaces of the joints 32c and 32d are kept insulative. The
minimum gap .gamma. between the gripping surfaces 38a and 38b is secured
by touching the arm 36b of the tip securing member 36 to the stoppers 34c
and 34d. The stoppers 34c and 34d limit the slider 64 from moving
backward any more, even if the operator wants. Additionally, because
there is no insulative portion on the gripping surfaces 38a and 38b of
the jaws 32a and 32b, there is no need for worrying about positions on
the clipping surfaces 38a and 38b at which the tissue 110 is gripped.

[0087] Additionally, with the jaws 32a and 32b gripping a portion the
tissue 110, the tissue 110 can also be cut open by supplying the high
frequency current to the jaws 32a and 32b, as shown in FIG. 6. In this
cutting open operation, since the jaws 32a and 32b are subjected to the
non-stick coated layer, the electrical short circuit resulting from
clagged mucosa of the tissue to the jaws 32a and 32b can be prevented
between the jaws 32a and 32b.

[0088] Meanwhile, it is sometimes desired to simply apply a blood
stanching operation to tissue 110, without gripping it. For doing this,
as shown in FIG. 7, the tip sides of the respective jaws 32a and 32b are
made to press onto a treatment-desired portion of the tissue 110. With
this pressed state kept, the jaws 32a and 32b receives high frequency
current supply as stated above, whereby the desired portion of the tissue
110 coagulates simply for stop bleeding due heat caused by the current.
This operation also enjoys the benefit of the minimum gap .gamma. formed
between the jaws 32a and 32b. That is, the gap .gamma. prevents the jaws
32a and 32b from being short-circuited with each other, while still
making the high frequency current pass through the tissue 110. In this
way, the tissue 110 can undergo the coagulating treatment for stop
blooding in a simple manner.

[0089] An alternative stop bleeding operation is to make sides of the
respective jaws 32a and 32b press onto a desired portion of tissue 110,
as shown in FIG. 8. With the attitudes of the jaws 32a and 32b kept as
shown in FIG. 8, the high frequency current is supplied to the jaws 32a
and 32b by applying the high frequency voltage, resulting in coagulating
the pressed portion of the tissue 110 for blood stanching. In this
operation, the short circuit between the jaws 32a and 32b is prevented
well due to the minimum gap .gamma. between the jaws 32a and 32b and the
insulative outer surfaces of the joints 32c and 32d, whilst the current
flow through the tissue 110 is secured. Thus the tissue 110 can be
coagulated at its desired portion, for stop bleeding in a simple but
steady manner.

[0090] As described so far, the present embodiment can provide various
advantages.

[0091] First, the predetermined-length gap .gamma. is formed between the
jaws 32a and 32b and the joins 32c and 32d have the insulative outer
surfaces. These structures prevent the short circuit between the jaws 32a
and 32b when the jaws 32a and 32b are closed to each other.

[0092] Secondly, supplying the high frequency current to the jaws 32a and
32b gripping a desired portion of tissue 110 between their gripping
surfaces 38a and 38b allows the portion to be coagulated for stop
bleeding. Moreover, pressing the mutually closed jaws 32a and 32b onto a
desired portion of tissue 110 and supplying the high frequency current to
the jaws 32a and 32b result in blood stanching. In this blood stanching,
there is no the directionality of the jaws 32a and 32b, which means that
the front surfaces and any side surfaces of the jaws can be used to be
pressed for the blood stanching operation. It is therefore, unlike the
conventional, to cope with various kinds of bleeding states of the
tissue. Namely, it is possible to provide the bipolar forceps 10 with the
openable/closable gripper 32 which has the capability of gripping a
desired portion of the tissue and being pressed onto (made to touch) a
desired portion of the tissue without paying attention to pressing
portions of the gripper 32. As a result, various types of high frequency
medial treatments can be done in an easier manner.

[0093] Differently from the conventional, there are no insulation portions
on the jaws 32a and 32b. Thus there is no need to select which part of
the jaws 32a and 32b should be used for gripping or touching (being
pressed onto) a desired portion of the tissue. The time necessary for the
treatments can therefore be shortened.

Second Embodiment

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a second embodiment of the high
frequency treatment device according to the present invention will now be
described. Incidentally, for the sake of simplified explanations, the
similar or identical parts in the present and subsequent embodiments to
those in the first embodiment will have the same reference numerals.

[0095] The second embodiment corresponds to a modification of the bipolar
forces 10 explained in the first embodiment. To be specific, there is
provided another example of sustaining the minimum gap .gamma. between
the jaws 32a and 32b (precisely, between the gripping surfaces 38a and
38b) when the jaws 32a and 32b are closed. The bipolar forceps 10
according to the present embodiment has a link mechanism 34 different in
structures from that explained in the first embodiment.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 9A, the tip of the wire 18 is divided into two so
as to connect to first and second branch wires 18a and 18b which are
conductive. The first branch wire 18a is connected to the first conducive
wire 54a (refer to FIG. 2A), whereas the second branch wire 18b is
connected to the second conductive wire 54b. The tips of the first and
second wires 18a and 18b are coupled respectively with the joints 32c and
32d functioning as the bases of the jaws 32a and 32b so as to allow the
joints 32c and 32d to rotate around the pin 40. The wires 18a and 18b
have outer surfaces on each of which an insulative layer is coated. First
and second stoppers 18c and 18d are fixed at axial predetermined
positions of the first and second branch wires 18a and 18b, respectively.
The positions are decided appropriately to touch a blocker 22a formed on
the inner wall surface of the sheath 22, when the wire 18 is pulled back.

[0097] The blocker 22 is positioned at an axial predetermined position of
the sheath 22 and formed into a cylinder having a bore through which the
two branch wires 18a and 18b are placed movably in the axial direction of
the insertion member 12. However, the shapes of the first and second
stoppers 18c and 18d and the blocker 22a are not limited to those shown
in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Any shapes can be used as long as the equivalent
functions are achieved.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 9B, the positional relationship of the first and
second stoppers 18c and 18d and the blocker 22a is designed such that the
first and second stoppers 18c and 18d are just made to touch the blocker
22a, when the distance (spacing) between the gripping surfaces 38a and
38b of the jaws 32a and 32b is reduced down to a predetermined minimum
length .gamma. in response to pulling the wire 18 backward. Hence it is
no longer possible for an operator to pull back the slider 64, when such
a contact between the first and second stoppers 18c and 18d and the
blocker 22a is once established. The minimum gap length .gamma. is
therefore secured between the jaws 32a and 32b of the treatment member
14.

[0099] As a variation, both the length of the wire 18 and the sliding
guide 62a of the operating main body 62 can be adjusted so that, when the
predetermined length .gamma. is established between the gripping surfaces
38a and 38b of the jaws 32a and 32b, the slider 64 is located nearest to
the operating main body 62 so as not to permit the move of the slider 64
backward any more.

[0100] The operations of the bipolar forceps 10 according to the present
embodiment will now be described.

[0101] The handle 16 shown in FIG. 4 is operated by an operator so that
the wire 18 is moved forward and backward along the sheath 22 of the
insertion member 12. This operations are converted into forward and
backward movements of the first and second branch wires 18a and 18b,
which are then transmitted to the joints 32c and 32d. The jaws 32a and
32b are then operated around the pin 40 so that the jaws 32a and 32b get
separated from each other or closer with each other (i.e., open and
close).

[0102] That is, an operator's forward operation of the wire 18 enables the
jaws 32a and 32b to open, while an operator's backward operation of the
wire 18 results in the close of the jaws 32a and 32b. In this closing
operation, the distance between the gripping surfaces 38a and 38b is
gradually reduced, and finally becomes the predetermined value .gamma.
just when the first and second stoppers 18c and 18d are made to touch the
block 22a for a stop thereat. The wire 18 cannot be pulled backward any
more, with the result that the minimum distance .gamma.between the
gripping surfaces 38a and 38b can be kept.

[0103] As understood from the above, the bipolar forceps 10 according to
the present embodiment can enjoy the identical advantages to those
explained in the first embodiment. Additionally, the choice in design can
be expanded.

Third Embodiment

[0104] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B to 13, a third embodiment of the
present embodiment will now be described. This embodiment relates to
another structure of the jaws.

[0105] A gripper 32 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B has a pair of jaws 32a and
32b, which are made from an eclectically insulative material, such as
ceramics, of high heat resistance. That is, in the present embodiment,
the jaws 32a and 32b cannot be used as electrodes by themselves.

[0106] Instead, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 19B, first and second electrode
members 68a and 68b each made from conductive materials are arranged on
each of the outer surfaces of the jaws 32a and 32b such that the
electrode members are located to have a predetermined distance separation
therebetween. That is, the two electrode members 68a and 68b, which are
charged with positive and negative polarities, are arranged around each
of the jaws 32a and 32b in a spiral and positive/negative-alternate
fashion. Both of the electrode members 68a and 68b are eclectically
connected with the first and second current-conducting connectors 64 and
64b via the link mechanism 34 and the wire 18, respectively.

[0107] The operations of the bipolar forceps 10 will now be described. The
operations involving opening and closing the jaws 32a and 32b and the
operations involving the closed state of the jaws 32a and 32b are similar
to those explained in the first embodiment, thus omitting their detailed
explanations. Since the jaws 32a and 32b have the first and second
electrode members 68a and 68b spirally disposed on the outer surface of
the jaws 32a and 32b along the entire anal range thereof, the jaws 32 and
32b provide the similar operations to those explained in the first
embodiment.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 11, of the two jaws 32a and 32b, for example, one
jaw 32b is made to touch a desired portion of tissue 110 and high
frequency vulgate is applied to the first and second electrode members
68a and 68b in the same manner as the foregoing. In response to this,
portions of the tissue 110, which along the jaw 32b and each of which
resides between the first and second electrode members 68a and 68b, are
subjected to high frequency current flow, as shown by arrows in FIG. 11,
thus leading to coagulation for blood stanching. That is, only one jaw
32b can be used for blood stanching by simply pressing the jaw 32b to a
desired treatment portion of the tissue 110 and applying the high
frequency voltage to the jaws 32a and 32b. This is also true of the other
jaw 32a.

[0109] The spiral electrode members 68a and 68b on each of the jaws 32a
and 32b as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B are not always necessary. An
alternative is for example parallel-disposed electrode members 68a and
68b on each of the jaws 32a and 32b as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

[0110] Another electrode structure can by shown by FIG. 13, in which the
first and second electrode members 68a and 68b are disposed on only one
32a of the jaws 32a and 32b, not absolutely necessary for arranging the
electrodes on both the jaws 32a and 32b. This type of jaws 32a and 32b
are still able to use for both the gripping operations and the touching
operations.

Fourth Embodiment

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B to FIGS. 16A and 16B, a fourth
embodiment of the present invention will now be described. This
embodiment relates to a modification of the foregoing third embodiment.

[0112] FIG. 14A shows a front view of jaws 32a and 32b of a gripper 32
used by a bipolar forceps 10 according to the present embodiment. As
shown therein, each of the jaws 32a and 32b has first and second
electrode members 70a and 70c which are formed into rectangular prisms,
respectively, and a plate-like insulator 70c rigidly sandwiched between
the electrode members 70a and 70c.

[0113] More precisely, of the two jaws 32a and 32b, one of the jaws, 32a,
is composed of the first electrode member 70a, insulator 70c, and second
electrode member 70c arranged in this order from the left in FIG. 14A. On
the other hand, from the left in FIG. 14A, the second electrode member
70b, insulator 70c, and first electrode member 70a are aligned to form
the other jaw 32b. The first and second electrode members 70a and 70b
receive the high frequency current from positive and negative polarity
terminals of the power supply unit, respectively.

[0114] The operations of this gripper 32 will now be described in
connection with FIGS. 15A and 15B.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 115A, sides of the pair of jaws 32a and 32b can be
pressed onto a bleeding portion of tissue 110. In this pressed state of
the jaws 32a and 32b, the high frequency voltage is applied to the second
electrode member 70b of one of the jaws, 32a, and the first electrode
member 70a of the other jaws 32b, resulting in that the portion of the
tissue 110 touching both the electrode members 70b and 70a undergo the
supply of high frequency current, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 15A.
The tissue portion between the pair of jaws 32a and 32b is coagulated to
stop bleeding. This operation is also true of the jaws 32a and 32b which
have gripped a portion of the tissue 110 for treatment.

[0116] A further use of the gripper 32 is depicted as shown in FIG. 15B,
in which only one of the jaws 32a and 32b is used for treatment. For
example, a side of one of the jaws, 32b, is pressed onto a bleeding
portion of tissue 110. In this state, the first and second electrode
members 70a and 70b on the jaw 32b receives an application of high
frequency voltage so that high frequency current passes through a portion
residing between the electrode members 70a and 70b. Accordingly, the
portion between the electrode members 70a and 70b is coagulated for blood
stanching.

[0117] Incidentally, the arrangement configurations of the electrode
members 70a and 70c and the insulator 70c are not limited to that shown
in FIG. 14A. Another example can be shown as in FIG. 14B, wherein each of
the jaws 32a and 32b has a U-shaped (in section) insulator 70c.
Specifically, one of the jaws, 32a, is composed of a
rectangular-prism-like first electrode member 70a, the U-shaped insulator
70c placed to embrace the first electrode member 70a, and a second
electrode member 70b U-shaped in section and placed to embrace the
insulator 70c, which are all combined rigidly. The other jaw 32b is also
composed of the second electrode member 70b, the insulator 70c, and the
first electrode member 70a and combined with each other in the same
manner as the jaw 32a.

[0118] In this variation, as illustrated in FIG. 16A, sides of the paired
jaws 32a and 32b can be pressed onto a bleeding portion of tissue 110.
This allows the tissue portion existing between the first electrode
member 70a of one of the jaws, 32a, and the second electrode member 70b
of the other jaw 32b to receive the flow of high frequency current. This
operation is applicable to the pair of jaws 32a and 32b which has gripped
a portion of the tissue 110 for high frequency treatment.

[0119] Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 16B, only one of the jaws, for
example, 32b, can be used for high frequency treatment such as blood
stanching. That is, it is enough that one of the sides of the jaw 32b,
which is opposed to the remaining jaw 32a, is pressed onto a bleeding
portion. In this case, a portion residing between the first and second
electrode members 70a and 70b undergoes the flow of high frequency
current, thus providing the stanching operation at the pressed portion.
This is also true of the other jaw 32a.

[0120] A further variation is to arrange the electrode members 70a and 70b
in only one of the jaws 32a and 32b, not always necessary for arranging
them on both the jaws 32a and 32b. Still, in each or only one of the jaws
32a and 32b, a plurality of sets of positive- and negative-polarities
electrode members may be formed. This structure of plural sets of
electrodes can be achieved by employing two or more insulators arranged
in the same manner as the above.

Fifth Embodiment

[0121] Referring to FIG. 17, a fifth embodiment of the present invention
will now be described.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 17, a bipolar forceps 10 has a tubular tip
securing member 36 with a tubular member 36a, which is similar to that
explained before and located at the base of the treatment member 14. On
the outer surface of the tubular member 36a, formed in the
circumferential direction are first and second electrode members 72a and
72b and an insulator 72c separating the electrode members 72a and 72b
from one the other. That is, the insulator 72c of a predetermined width
prevents the electrode members 72a and 72b from being short-circuited.

[0123] The first electrode member 72a of for example positive polarity is
also disposed entirely on the outer surface of one of the jaws, 32a,
whilst the second electrode member 72b of negative polarity is also
disposed entirely on the outer surface of the jaw 32b. Hence both jaws
32a and 32b function as a pair of electrodes, like the jaws 32a and 32b
in the first embodiment. In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, the first
electrode member 72a on the tubular member 36a and the second electrode
member 72b on the other jaw 32b are paired in that they are positionally
biased on the same side in a direction perpendicular to the central axis
of the insertion member 12. Similarly to this, the second electrode
member 72b on the tubular member 36a and the first electrode member 72a
on the other jaw 32b are paired.

[0124] The first and second electrode members 72a and 72b are electrically
connected to the first and second current-conducting connectors 64a and
64b, respectively, within the sheath 22 of the insertion member 12 via
the wire 18.

[0125] The operations of the bipolar forceps 10 according to the present
embodiment will now be described.

[0126] For example, in cases where one of the jaws, 32b, is pressed onto a
portion of tissue 110 for blood stanching, the paired first electrode
member 72a on the tubular member 36a is pressed together onto the
portion. An application of high frequency voltage to the first and second
electrode members 72a and 72b thus pressed allows high frequency current
to flow between the jaw 32b (second electrode member 72b) and the first
electrode member 72a on the tubular member 36a, as depicted by an arrow
in FIG. 17. This will cause coagulation at the desired portion for blood
stanching.

[0127] Hence the present embodiment provides an advantage, in addition to
those gained in the first embodiment. That is, in pressing the jaws 32a
and 42b for blood stanching, either of the positionally biased two pairs
selected from the jaws 32a and 32b and the electrodes 72 and 72b is
simply pressed onto a bleeding portion of tissue 110. An example is shown
in FIG. 17. In such a pressed state, the electrode members 72a and 72b is
subject to the supply of high frequency current. This is a simple
operation for blood stanching, shortening a time for the overall
treatment operations.

[0128] In addition, the positions and shapes of the first and second
electrodes 72 and 72b are not limited to that shown in FIG. 17. Further,
the first electrode member 72a and the second electrode member 72b are
not limited to one in number, respectively. Plural
mutually-opposite-polarity electrodes can be placed on the jaw 32a (32b)
at intervals, for example.

Sixth Embodiment

[0129] Referring to FIGS. 18A and 1813 to 21A and 21B, a sixth embodiment
of the present invention will now be described.

[0130] FIGS. 18A and 18B show a gripper of a bipolar forceps 10 according
to the present embodiment, in which the gripper 32 comprises a pair of
jaws 32a and 32b made from conductive materials, like the first
embodiment. In other words, the jaws 32a and 32b function as electrodes
by themselves. The jaws 32a and 32b are electrically connected to the
first and second current-conducting connectors 64a and 64b via the wire
18.

[0131] As illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B, on each of the gripping
surfaces 38a and 38b of the jaws 32a and 32b, a plurality of insulators
74a (74b) are rigidly built at intervals along the longitudinal (axial)
direction of the gripper 32. Each of the insulators 74a and 75b is formed
into, for example, a cubic or a cuboid in the present embodiment, but
this is not a decisive list. Any shapes such as hemisphere shape,
truncated cone shape, and triangular pyramid shape can be adopted as the
insulators 74a and 74b. It is preferable that the number of insulators
74a (74b) is one to five in number in the axial direction of each jaw in
order to keep a sufficient gripping force. The insulators 74a and 74b are
made from a highly insulative and heat-resistive material, for example,
selected from a group consisting of ceramic material, cycloolefin resin,
norbornane resin, polyether ether ketone, polyimide, polyamide, and
polysufone.

[0132] As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the dimensional configurations are
given to the jaws 32a and 32b such that, when the jaws 32a and 32b are
closed at full, the insulators 74a and 74b on the mutually opposed
gripping surfaces 38a and 38b do not interfere with each other.
Concretely, the insulators 74a and 75b are located alternately along the
longitudinal direction of the gripper 32 when the closing operations of
the jaws 32a and 32b are completed and a gap of slight distance is formed
between the mutually adjacent insulators 74a and 74b on both the jaws 32a
and 32b in the longitudinal direction.

[0133] The operations of the bipolar forceps 10 according to the present
embodiment will now be described.

[0134] The description will given on the assumption that the pair of jaws
32a and 32b are used to grip a portion of tissue 110 to stop bleeding
from the portion.

[0135] In this operation, as shown in FIG. 19, the portion of the tissue
110 is gripped between the gripping surfaces 38a and 38b. In detail, the
tissue portion 10 is pressed onto the gripping surface 38b of one of the
jaws, 32b, by the insulators 74a of the other jaw 32a and pressed onto
the gripping surface 38a of the jaw 32a by the insulators 74b on the jaw
32b. In response to an application of high frequency voltage to the jaws
32a and 32b, high frequency current flows through the gripped tissue
portion, as shown by arrows in FIG. 19. Hence, the gripped tissue portion
110 coagulates to stop bleeding therefrom.

[0136] A variation of the foregoing is shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, which
pictorially depict front views of the jaws 32a and 32b composing the
gripper 32. As shown therein, it is preferred that a plurality of rows of
the insulators 74a (74b) are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal
(axial) direction of the gripper 32, not limited to the arrangement in
which each row of the insulators 74a (74b) is aligned in the direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The axial length of each
insulator 74a (74b) is 0.5 to 20 mm and set to an amount not to protrude
from the jaws 32a and 32b.

[0137] According to the present embodiment, unlike the bipolar forceps 10
explained in the first embodiment, even if the jaws 32a and 32b are
closed at full, there exist the insulators 74a and 74b between the jaws
32a and 32b. Therefore, stoppers to limit the rotations of the jaws 32a
and 32b, such as stoppers 34c and 34d in FIGS. 3A and 3B, are not
required any more.

Seventh Embodiment

[0138] Referring to FIGS. 21A, 21B and 22, a seventh embodiment of the
present invention will now be described. This embodiment provides a
modified example from the electrode configurations shown in the sixth
embodiment in which the stoppers 34c and 34d explained in FIGS. 3A and 3B
are unnecessary.

[0139] A bipolar forceps 10 according to the present embodiment has a
gripper 32 shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B. The gripper 32 has jaws 32a and
32b made from insulative materials. Gripping surfaces 38a and 38b formed
on the jaws 32a and 32b can be contacted to each other, as shown in FIG.
21B. On both corner surfaces of each of the jaws 32a and 32b, first and
second L-shaped electrode members 76a and 76b are secured with a
predetermined interval therebetween.

[0140] To be specific, on one of the jaws, 32a, the first and second
L-shaped electrode members 76a and 76b are secured to cover part of the
upper surface and a side surface and to protrude from the lower end of
the jaw 32a by a predetermined length, respectively, as shown in FIG.
21A. On the upper surface in the FIG. 21A, the two electrode members 76a
and 76b are separated from each other by a predetermined length.

[0141] On the other hand, on the other jaw 32b, the first and second
L-shaped electrode members 76a and 76b are secured to cover part of the
lower surface and part of a side surface of the jaw 32b, respectively, as
shown in FIG. 21A. On the lower surface shown in the FIG. 21A, the two
electrode members 76a and 76b are separated a predetermined length from
each other. The electrode members 76a and 76b receive an application of
high frequency voltage of positive and negative polarities, respectively.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 2113, when the pair of jaws 32a and 32b are closed
completely, the lower ends of the first and second electrode members 76a
and 76b disposed on one of the jaws, 32a, are made to touch both sides of
the other jaw 32b. In this closed state of both the jaws 32a and 32b, the
first and second electrode members 76a and 76b on the jaw 32b and the
first and second electrode members 76a and 76b on the jaw 32a are
separated from each other.

[0143] As long as the foregoing conditions illustrated in FIGS. 21A and
21B are met, the first and second electrode members 76a and 76b can be
formed into any shapes, not limited to those expressed by FIGS. 21A and
21B. Though an arbitrary number of electrode members are available for
each of the first and second electrode members 76a and 76b, it is
preferable to dispose two to six electrode members are disposed along the
longitudinal direction of the jaws 32a and 32b when taking the
arrangement areas on the jaws into account.

[0144] The operations of the bipolar biceps 10 according to the present
embodiment will now be described.

[0145] The pair of jaws 32a and 32b can also grip a portion of tissue 110
to stop bleeding from the portion.

[0146] This gripping operation is illustrated in FIG. 22. When this
gripping action is completed, high frequency voltage is applied to the
first and second electrode members 76a and 76b on each of the jaws 32a
and 32b so that high frequency current flows between the jaws 32a and 32b
through the portion of the tissue. Hence the gripped portion is
coagulated to stop bleeding.

[0147] Although not shown, one-side surfaces of the jaws 32a and 32b can
be touched to the tissue 110 to apply high frequency voltage to the first
and second electrode members 76a and 76b. As a result, high frequency
current flows between the paired first and second electrode members 76a
and 76b on the paired jaws 32a and 32b, with a touched tissue portion
coagulated for blood stanching.

[0148] In the present embodiment, it is not required to limit the angles
of the jaws 32a and 32b in having the tissue 110 gripped for stanching.
Thus a stronger pressing force can therefore be applied to the tissue 110
when gripping it, applying a more effective press to the tissue 110 with
the jaws 32a and 32b for blood stanching.

Eighth Embodiment

[0149] Referring to FIGS. 23A, 23B, 24A and 24B, an eighth embodiment of
the present invention will now be described.

[0150] A high frequency treatment device according to the present
embodiment, when it is used, is inserted into the insertion channel 102
of for example the endoscope 100 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG.
23A, a high frequency treatment device 200 according to the present
embodiment is provided with a monopolar stanching device (a coagulating
device or a coagulater) 210 and a bipolar forceps (high frequency
gripping forceps) 10 placed within the monopolar stanching device 210. Of
these devices, the bipolar forceps 10 by be, by way of example, identical
in configurations to those explained in the first to seventh embodiments.
Particularly in the present embodiment, the bipolar forceps 10 is
identical to that in the first embodiment.

[0151] As shown in FIGS. 23A and 233, the monopolar stanching device 210
is provided with a thin and flexible insertion member 212, a treatment
member 214 secured to the tip of the insertion member 212, and a
current-supply connector 216 secured to the base of the insertion member
212.

[0152] In the monopolar stanching device 210, the insertion member 212 is
provided with a sheath 222 rotatable against the treatment member 214.
The sheath 222 is made from a resin material that exhibits an excellent
flexibility. The sheath 222 may however be formed from a metal-made
flexible coil, not limited to the resin materials. The sheath 222 has an
inner diameter to form an inner tubular space through which the treatment
member 12 and insertion member 14 of the bipolar forceps 10 are inserted
smoothly. The outer diameter of the sheath 222 is 1.5 to 6 mm.
Particularly it is preferable if the outer diameter is 2.2-3.5 mm. In the
inner bore of this sheath 222, a current-supply cable 218 is arranged
along the axial direction of the sheath 222.

[0153] As shown in FIG. 23B, the current-supply connector 216 of the
monopolar stanching device 210 is a tubular connecter body 262 and a
terminal 264 secured on this connector body 262. The connector body 262
has an inner hole connecting both axial ends and the diameter of the hole
is set to an amount permitting the treatment member 14 and insertion
member 12 of the bipolar forceps 10 to be inserted smoothly. The terminal
264 is electrically connected with an end of the current-supply cable
218.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 23A, the treatment member 214 is provided with a
hemispheric valve 226 that has sufficient elasticity and an electrode 228
being formed from conductive material, such as elastomeric resin, and
covering the valve 226. Each of the valve 226 and the electrode 228 is
divided by slits 230 into plural segments and formed to open and close.

[0155] On the outer surface of each of the segments of the valve 226, each
segment of the electrode 228, which is the same in shape as each segment
of the valve 226, is affixed. The tip of the current-supply cable 218 is
electrically coupled with the electrode 228. That is, the current-supply
cable 218 electrically connects the electrode 228 and the terminal 264 of
the current-supply connector 216.

[0156] By the way, it is not always necessary that the segments of the
electrode 228 are affixed on all the segments of the valve 226, but is
enough if only one electrode segment is affixed on any segment of the
valve 226. In addition, the number of slits 230 of the valve 226, that
is, the number of segments thereof, is arbitrary.

[0157] The operations of the high frequency treatment device 200 according
to the present embodiment will now be described.

[0158] First, the bipolar forceps 10, which is part of the device 200,
will now be explained.

[0159] Current-supply cables are used to connect the current-supply
connectors 64a, 64b and 264 of both the monopolar stanching device 210
and the bipolar forceps 10 to high frequency power supply units (not
shown), respectively.

[0160] The high frequency treatment device 200 is inserted into the
insertion channel of the endoscope 100 so as to make the tip of the
device 200 approach a portion of tissue 110 to be treated, in which the
treatment member 14 and insertion member 12 of the bipolar forceps 10 are
inserted into the insertion member 212 (sheath 222) of the monopolar
stanching device 210 through the tip thereof. As shown in FIG. 24A, the
tip of the high frequency treatment device 200 is served by the treatment
member 214 of the monopolar stanching device 210.

[0161] As shown in this state shown in FIG. 24A, the bipolar forceps 10 is
operated to advance toward the tip of the monopolar stanching device 210
within this device 210. Then, as shown in FIG. 24B, from the tip of the
monopolar stanching device 210, the treatment device 14 of the bipolar
forceps 10 is pushed out to open the valve 226 and electrode 228 of the
outer device 210. In this pushing operation, since the valve 226 has
elasticity, the segments of the valve 226 can be pushed aside to form an
opening in an easy manner. Thus the treatment member 14 of the bipolar
forceps 10 can protrude from the outer device 210.

[0162] Accordingly, like the operations in the first embodiment, the
treatment member 14 is able to grip a portion of tissue 110 for blood
stanching using the current-supplied jaws 32a and 32b.

[0163] In contrast, the monopolar stanching device 210 can be used for
blood stanching by having the device 210 itself pressed onto a portion of
tissue.

[0164] In the similar manner to the bipolar forceps 10, the high frequency
treatment device 200, in which the bipolar forceps 10 is contained within
the monopolar stanching device 210, is operated so that its tip
approaches a bleeding portion of tissue 110, as shown in FIG. 24A. And
the electrode 228 on the tip of the monopolar stanching device 210 is
touched to the bleeding portion and receives an application of high 6
frequency voltage from the high frequency power supply unit. This
application allows high frequency current to flow through the electrode
and bleeding portion, with the blooding portion coagulated for performing
blood stanching.

[0165] A variation according to this embodiment is to replace the bipolar
forceps 10 with a monopolar forceps and to replace the monopolar
stanching device 210 with a bipolar stanching device.

Ninth Embodiment

[0166] Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, a ninth embodiment of the present
invention will now be described, which is modified from the constructions
in the eighth embodiment.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 25, a high frequency treatment device 200
according to the present embodiment has also a double-device structure
and is provided with a bipolar forceps 10, arranged as an outer device
and a monopolar stanching device 210' arranged within an insertion member
12' of the bipolar forceps 10'. The insertion member 12' of the forceps
10' has a tubular through-hole sufficient therein for insertion of an
insertion member 212' of the monopolar stanching device 210'.

[0168] As shown in FIG. 26, the bipolar forceps 10' has a handle 16' with
an operating main body 62', which is similar to the ones of the foregoing
embodiments. In the operations main body 62, an insertion channel 216a is
formed to accept the insertion of a treatment member 214' and an
insertion member 212' of the monopolar stanching device 210'. This
insertion channel 216a has a diameter of which amount is appropriate for
a smooth insertion of the insertion member 212'.

[0169] This high frequency treatment device 200 will now be explained in
terms of its operations.

[0170] The bipolar forceps 10', functioning as part of the device 200, has
the capability of stopping bleeding. Cables are used to connect both the
monopolar stanching device 210' and the bipolar forceps 10' to the high
frequency power supply unit.

[0171] With the monopolar stanching device 210' inserted into the
insertion channel 216a of the handle 16' of the bipolar forceps 10', the
high frequency treatment device 200, that is, the bipolar forceps 10', is
operated to make its tip approach a bleeding portion of tissue through
the insertion channel 102 of the endoscope 100.

[0172] In the similar manner to the gripping operation explained in the
first embodiment, jaws 32a' and 32b' of the bipolar forceps 10' are then
driven to grip the bleeding portion and subjected to high frequency
current supply.

[0174] Similarly to the blood stanching carried out with the bipolar
forceps 10', the device 200 is operated to make its tip approach a
bleeding portion of tissue. Then a gripper 32' of the bipolar forceps
10', which consists of the jaws 32a' and 32b', is opened by driving the
jaws 32a' and 32b' so that its tips are rotated in the mutually different
directions. After completing this open as shown in FIG. 25, the monopolar
stanching device 210' is moved to protrude its treatment member 214' from
the tip of the insertion member 12' of the outer forceps 10'.

[0175] An electrode 228' on the tip of the monopolar stanching 210' is
then pressed to a bleeding portion of tissue. Thus the blood stanching is
achieved at the portion, like the foregoing.

[0176] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the gripper 32' of the
bipolar forceps 10' can grip tissue to perform blood stanching with the
aid of high frequency current. Further, any portion of the treatment
member 214' of the monopolar stanching device 210' can be pressed to a
bleeding portion of tissue for stanching. Thus both of these stanching
ways can be used selectively depending on various bleeding conditions.
That is, the single high frequency treatment device 200 has the two high
frequency treatment functions, thus being convenient and efficient for
the stanching operations.

[0177] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.
The present embodiments and modifications are therefore to be considered
in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the
present invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by
the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning
and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be
embraced therein.